The Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Oscar Albayalde has admitted that the ‘padrino system’ still exists among their ranks, but not as prolific as many believe.
Albayalde said there are still policemen who practice the said system.
“Very minimal. Mangilan-ngilan nalang iyan. Pero mayroong mga pulis tayo na until now, they are exercising iyong tinatawag nating political patronage. Iyon ang tinatanggal natin kasi (Very minimal. But there are still policemen that until now are still exercising what we call ‘political patronage’. That is what we want to eradicate) we want to professionalize the police service,” he said.
The issue of the padrino system resurfaced when PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) patrolman Leo Diño Valdez was able to return to service in 2017.
This was after he went absent without official leave (AWOL) in 2014 due to his alleged involvement in drugs.
Albayalde said they are prepared to file administrative charges against those who are practicing the padrino system.
“Kung ma-find out natin na lumapit sila sa kung kani-kanino (Once we find out they are reaching out to their connections) especially with influential politicians then we’re compelled to file administrative charges against them,” he said.—AAC (with reports from April Cenedoza)
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